Federal grand jury names two people in check-forging indictment

A federal grand jury named two people Wednesday in a massive check-forging indictment involving fake checks drawn against customers at FirstBank and Trust.

Richard Reed McDaniel, 30, and Shannon Renee Morgan, 33, are named in the 27-count indictment, which alleges the pair forged and negotiated 14 checks on FirstBank customer accounts between July 31 and Sept. 10 in the Lubbock area.

The checks totalled $7,010.79, and ranged in amounts from $456.41 to $984.26.

McDaniel was also indicted on five counts of manufacturing counterfeit securities in the Abilene area.

Those five checks totalled $7,071, and ranged from $681.97 to $3,764.41.

They were drawn against Chalak-Mandigo Lubbock; Harrigan’s; O’Reilly’s Auto Parts; Scott Co. Plumbing and Heating; and South Plains College.

McDaniel was also charged with seven counts of producing false identification documents.

According to the indictment, McDaniel created fake temporary Texas identification cards under seven different identities.

Both McDaniel and Morgan are being held in Lubbock County Detention Center. According to jail records, both are also facing various state criminal charges.

McDaniel has been in jail since Sept. 12,where he is awaiting trial on charges of tampering with a government license or seal with intent to defraud and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle.

He is also being held on several warrants, including tampering with government records, forgery of financial instruments, fraudulent use or possession of identification materials, and possession of a controlled substance in a drug free zone.

Morgan has been in jail since Aug. 25 and, according to jail records, is awaiting trial on charges of burglary of a habitation and fraudulent use or possession of identification materials.

She also was being held on several warrants including burglary of a habitation, theft of $50-$500, stealing or receiving a stolen check, possession of dangerous drugs and possession of a controlled substance.